chinese events that influenced literature timeline

earliest chinese literature

1200 BCE

earliest evidence of chinese writing is found on shang oracle bones. earliest known chinese poems composed.

confucius teaches

800 BCE

confucius teaches about ethical values such as honesty loyalty and respect for elders. his disciples later record his teachings in analects.

diamond sutra

800 BCE

the first book with a printed date is published.

taoist philosopher

400 BCE

taoist philosopher chuan tau writes the chuang tau. ssh ma chien writes records of the historian a history of china through wu tis reign.

birth of Tao chien

365 BCE

the birth of tao chien who would turn out to be a very important and influensive lyric poet.

dictionary

200 BCE

the very first chinese dictionary was compiled.

first poetry civil service examination

100 BCE

poetry writing is included in the civil service examination. birth of wang wei, painter and poet.

history of the former han dynasty

1 BCE

pan ku writes history of the former han dynasty. the first chinese dictionary is complied.